This has to be the 2nd best part of the season after JV, watching the raptors win the last 2 weeks of the season and not being pissed about it. I laugh thinking about all the OKC fans going "Oh now you guys want to win ?!?!?" we're 1 win away from dropping from the top 10 and i'm happy now but if we get the 2 or 3 pick with 1% chance i'm gonna be so pissed.

End of season. Gunning for 9th. Late Season Wins. Summer Growth. More Time to Gel. Optimism...Hope... seems like we are right on schedule, a sincere thank you to Bryan Coangelo, from the bottom of our hearts - raptors fans.

At the game today, first Raps game in a couple years (I broke my rule and bought tix even though they haven't fired Colangelo). Thoughts:

1. Why does everyone lineup at the Union Station entrance so early and stand there? You can go about 100 feet outside and walk right in. Always find this amusing. Speaking of the crowd, wasn't great today. Still, big crowd for a crappy team at the end of the year.

2. Raps: Derozan and Gay were good. The bench was not. Anderson and Lucas are two of the most selfish players I have ever watched play in a Raps uniform. Why is Dwayne Casey always standing up? Is he the only coach in the NBA that's can't find the bench?

3. Deron Williams is really good. The Nets are not really good. Brook Lopez is baffling.

4. The Dance Pak has really gone down hill. Yikes.

5. Those idiots in track suits who cheer and go into the crowd are annoying as hell. The one guy kept trying to start the wave right when the game was getting close.

6. People really love those t-shirts they throw into the crowd. Are they wrapped around a bar of gold?

7. I got $25 of free gas. Thanks Petro-Canada.

8. Why no T-Ross? Injured?

EDIT: 9. Why the hell is a personal injury law firm sponsoring the Raps? Does this make any sense from anyone's perspective?

At the game today, first Raps game in a couple years (I broke my rule and bought tix even though they haven't fired Colangelo). Thoughts:

1. Why does everyone lineup at the Union Station entrance so early and stand there? You can go about 100 feet outside and walk right in. Always find this amusing. Speaking of the crowd, wasn't great today. Still, big crowd for a crappy team at the end of the year.

2. Raps: Derozan and Gay were good. The bench was not. Anderson and Lucas are two of the most selfish players I have ever watched play in a Raps uniform. Why is Dwayne Casey always standing up? Is he the only coach in the NBA that's can't find the bench?

3. Deron Williams is really good. The Nets are not really good. Brook Lopez is baffling.

4. The Dance Pak has really gone down hill. Yikes.

5. Those idiots in track suits who cheer and go into the crowd are annoying as hell. The one guy kept trying to start the wave right when the game was getting close.

6. People really love those t-shirts they throw into the crowd. Are they wrapped around a bar of gold?

7. I got $25 of free gas. Thanks Petro-Canada.

8. Why no T-Ross? Injured?

EDIT: 9. Why the hell is a personal injury law firm sponsoring the Raps? Does this make any sense from anyone's perspective?

On number 2, or really just on Gay, while I think issue #1 with Gay is consistency (hopefully partly attributable to health), in terms of game, the thing I want to see the most is better passing. He tries to make the right play but his passes are so damn bad. Bad timing, poor placement...I mean, I guess it's good he sees the chances, but they're exactly the kind of passes that lead to fast break turnovers.

Watching the Houston-Sacramento game right now. Man, what happened to Tyreke Evans? I remember hoping badly he would somehow fall to the Raps on draft night, then he won ROY. Never really took another step with his game. In retrospect, it might've been far more frustrating having him on the team...with Bargnani? That might've been the all-time greatest "unfulfilled potential" pair.

Watching the Houston-Sacramento game right now. Man, what happened to Tyreke Evans? I remember hoping badly he would somehow fall to the Raps on draft night, then he won ROY. Never really took another step with his game. In retrospect, it might've been far more frustrating having him on the team...with Bargnani? That might've been the all-time greatest "unfulfilled potential" pair.

I think a lot of it is environment with Tyreke. He's not as bad as it appears. But that team doesn't strike me as the most stable place to grow as a player.

I think a lot of it is environment with Tyreke. He's not as bad as it appears. But that team doesn't strike me as the most stable place to grow as a player.

True. But still, a lot is on the player. It seemed like he had the talent to be a top 5 SG (where he fits best) for years. In terms of areas of impact, he's a threat in multiple ways, much like Harden and Wade. And he's a beast physically. I thought he had the talent to maybe be a franchise player, and definitely be a perennial all-star. That could've helped foster stability. I suppose player and team failed each other.